The essential guide to Montréal en Lumière 2025

Among worldwide events for cold-weather culture worth experiencing in a lifetime, Montréal en Lumière—and the all-night entertainment of Nuit Blanche it bookmarks—reign supreme. Now in its 26th edition, this festival has become one of the largest of its kind in the world, cementing both the city’s reputation as a global hub of culture and legendary hospitality. 

Best of all, it reinvents itself every year: This Montréal en Lumière 2025 guide features more to do, eat, see, and drink than before as the event continues a proud tradition of winter festivals in Montreal dating back to the first winter carnival in 1883.

This year, Montréal en Lumière takes place from February 27 to March 9, in the city’s cultural district Quartier des Spectacles, and gastronomic programming starts a bit earlier on February 20. Its accompanying all-night citywide arts and culture event Nuit Blanche happens one night only on March 1.

Take note of the following schedule for the festival grounds:

• Feb 27–28: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• March 1 (Nuit Blanche): 2:00 PM – 2:00 AM
• March 2, 5, 9: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• March 6–8: 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Closed: March 3–4

Here’s everything a festival-goer needs to know, inside and out.

Let’s Eat: Dining options at Montréal en Lumière

Montréal en Lumière kicks off ‘early’ on February 20 with gastronomic programming that showcases tasting menus and elegant sessions in local restaurants and often featuring an international roster of chefs. 

As for eating on the festival grounds when vendors and restaurants open to the public downtown on February 27? Quick note: Peak crowds tend to be around 6 to 8 p.m.; to avoid long lines, aim for earlier or later than those times.

Village Gourmand

Central to the festival’s food offerings, the heated gathering space of Village Gourmand created in collaboration with Mordu brings together exclusive festival dishes curated by Top Chef Canada 2020 winner Francis Blais of Menu Extra. 

You can set your expectations high with these dishes that refine what festival food can be for $20 or less: Warm French and Italian dishes like chicken chasseur, Risotto Milanese with braised pork shoulder, and a vegetarian house agnolotti with Louis d’Or cheese are all on offer inside. 

There will also be a series of free workshops and activities in this area, and a signature cocktail by mixologist Claudia Doyon—zero-proof options included. 

Classics and Quick Bites

Outside Village Gourmand, you have your quintessentially Québécois indulgences: There’s a Raclette Cabin serving up cheese pulls and fondue crafted with local products, as well as a Sugar Shack for cabane treats and meals centred around the province’s own maple syrup. For those who prefer some liquid courage for the cold, the Cabin of Local Spirits is pouring craft Quebec spirits and cocktails. 

Finally, those in need of a quicker fix can try the BeaverTails food truck’s poutine, fries, and pastries, or Tim Hortons’ food truck with $2 hot drinks with all proceeds going to L’Itinéraire.

Bistro SAQ – Wine & Cocktails

For festivalgoers looking to sip on Québec wines or low-ABV craft cocktails, Bistro SAQ is a must-visit for thoughtfully curated and festival-ready beverages.

Here, you’ll find a mix of provincially inspired comfort food alongside elevated bites to pair with those wine and cocktails, where house-made pogos with a maple mustard share the same menu with charcuterie and cheese boards, raclette with bacon, and honey-glazed chicken skewers. Seafood lovers can dig into salt cod fritters with coriander mayo, while plant-based eaters will find Montreal-grown oyster mushroom wings. Don’t get us started on the cookies.

Fondue at Chez Canton

Few things are better than fondue in the middle of winter. Chez Canton, a cozy pop-up restaurant located on the second floor of Maison du Festival, serves up broth fondue and comforting soups. It’s the perfect place to warm up after a night of skating and exploring; walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.

Drinks & Après-Skate @ Dublin’s Pub & Coors Light Bar

If you just want a casual drink, Dublin’s Pub and the Coors Light Bar has local craft beers and winter cocktails to enjoy in a relaxed setting—a great stop between festival activities or post-skate at the Loop.

Air France Finest Tables – The Citywide Culinary Celebration

Beyond the festival site, Montréal en Lumière expands across the city with the Air France Finest Tables series. Over 60 participating restaurants will feature exclusive menus crafted by renowned international chefs, offering an unmissable fine-dining experience.

On top of that, some of the world's top pastry chefs are in town to craft limited-time dessert menus, and the festival’s Brunch en Lumière features over 25 restaurants serving up special brunch menus the morning after Nuit Blanche.

The Festival Experience: What to See & Do

Loto-Québec Skating Loop

One of the festival’s most unique attractions, the refrigerated and elevated Loto-Québec Skating Loop lets you glide through the city skyline for free. It’s best to go during early afternoons or after 9 p.m. when the rink is less crowded. Rentals are available on-site. Bonus: It’s a great spot to capture stunning views.

Family-Friendly & School Break Activities (March 5–9, 2025)

CN Family Zone & Interactive Exhibits: Designed for younger festivalgoers, the CN Family Zone offers light-up mazes, interactive games, and hands-on activities.

Télé-Québec Little Train: A charming mini train ride through the festival site.

Disney on Ice: Let’s Dance! runs from March 6 to 9 at the Bell Centre when characters take to the rink in a show that’s exclusive to the festival.

Light Installations, Music & Art

You’ll want to check out the National Bank FUNarium, a mesmerizing light maze with mirrors and interactive projections, the NŏKS Installation’s glowing, otherworldly art experience by Montréal-based Lucion, and LUMINO’s collection of video projections and digital art pieces displayed throughout the festival site.

Concerts & Shows: 2025 Lineup Highlights

Live music is a core part of Montréal en Lumière, and this year’s lineup is stacked with talent. There are free street performances, pop-up shows, and DJs at Place des Festivals throughout the festival. 

For those who want to dance outside, the Rogers DJ Booth is hosting 15 free performances by international and local DJs, keeping the energy high well into the night.

As for headliners, they include Pierre Lapointe, Milk & Bone, Leif Vollebekk, Inhaler, and Rita Baga, performing at venues like L’Olympia, MTELUS, Gesù Theatre, and Club Soda—all within easy reach of the festival grounds.

Nuit Blanche: Art, Music & Culture All Night Long

The legendary Nuit Blanche returns for one night only on March 1, 2025, offering a dusk-to-dawn cultural journey. 

More than 100+ free events will be spread across the city, featuring art exhibits, live music, pop-up performances, and experimental installations.

To note:

• Transit: The metro runs all night to accommodate festivalgoers.
• Food availability: Many of the festival’s restaurants and food stalls extend their hours while others close earlier—refer to the hours at the beginning of this guide.
• Line-ups & Tickets: Book early for all of the ticketed events you’re interested in, and arrive early at free events to avoid waiting out in the cold.

With once-in-a-lifetime dinners, Nuit Blanche entertainments, and winter fun under the lights, Montréal en Lumière 2025 is shaping up to be its most spectacular edition yet. 

It only takes a moment spent experiencing how it makes downtown Montreal come alive with food and drink, art and culture, and outdoor hibernal fun to see just how good of a time can be had in this city—no matter the season.

Find answers to every other question you might have with Montréal en Lumière’s official site. Download the festival’s app via the App Store or Google Play to help keep you oriented and booked.